Andaman and Nicobar Islands | union territory, India | Britannica.com Andaman and Nicobar Islands Nicobar Islands Andaman and Nicobar Islands, union territory, India , consisting of two groups of islands at the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal . The peaks of a submerged mountain range, the Andaman Islands and their neighbours to the south, the Nicobar Islands , form an arc stretching southward for some 620 miles (1,000 km) between Myanmar (Burma) and the island of Sumatra , Indonesia . The arc constitutes the boundary between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. Port Blair (on South Andaman Island) is the territorial capital. Andaman redwood trees in the Cinque Islands, south of Rutland Island, in the southern Andamans, … © Ashvin Mehta/Dinodia Photo Library Situated on the ancient trade route between India and Myanmar, the Andamans were visited by the navy of the English East India Company in 1789, and in 1872 they were linked administratively by the British to the Nicobar Islands.

The two sets of islands became a union territory of the Republic of India in 1956. The territory has for more than a century been recognized for its indigenous communities , which have ardently avoided extensive interaction with ethnic outsiders. In 2004 the islands drew global attention when they were severely damaged by a large tsunami that had been triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia. Area 3,185 square miles (8,249 square km). Pop. (2011) 379,944. Land The Andamans comprise more than 300 islands. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known collectively as Great Andaman , are the main islands; others include Landfall Island, Interview Island, the Sentinel Islands, Ritchie’s Archipelago, and Rutland Island. Little Andaman in the south is separated from the Nicobar Islands by the Ten Degree Channel, which is about 90 miles (145 km) wide. The Nicobars consist of 19 islands.

Among the most prominent are Car Nicobar in the north; Camorta, Katchall, and Nancowry in the centre of the chain; and Great Nicobar in the south. About 90 miles to the southwest of Great Nicobar lies the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. Relief and drainage Gandhi and Indian History The islands are inhabited by only a few dozen species of terrestrial and marine mammals, a number of which—such as the Andaman wild pig (Sus scrofa andamanensis)—are endemic to the region. Other common mammals include macaques, spotted deer, civets, shrews, whales, dolphins, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). The territory is home to more than 200 species of birds, including many endemic varieties. Numerous types of snakes and lizards inhabit the forests, and saltwater crocodiles, fish, turtles, and sea snakes are abundant in the coastal waters. Many species of flora and fauna have yet to be documented systematically. People Population composition Although the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory consists of hundreds of islands, very few of them are inhabited.

Roughly two dozen of the Andaman Islands support human settlements, while only 12 of the Nicobar Islands are populated. The vast majority of the population of the Andamans consists of immigrants from South Asia and their descendants. Most speak Hindi or Bengali, but Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam also are common. The indigenous inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, the Andamanese , historically comprised small isolated groups—all speaking dialects of the Andamanese language . They used the bow and the dog (introduced to the Andamans c. 1857) for hunting but knew no method of making fire. Turtles, dugongs, and fish were caught with nets or harpooned from single outrigger canoes. The remoteness of the Andamanese and their general hostility toward foreigners prevented major cultural change until the mid-20th century. Few indigenous Andamanese survive today, most groups having been decimated by disease following their encounter with Europeans, Indians, and other outsiders.

In the early 21st century the only Andamanese groups that remained intact and continued to practice the ways of their ancestors included a small group of Great Andamanese on Strait Island, the Sentinelese of North Sentinel Island, the Jarawa of the interior areas of Middle and South Andaman, and the Onge of Little Andaman. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The indigenous inhabitants of the Nicobar Islands, the Nicobarese (including the related Shompen), continued to constitute the majority of the population of the Nicobars in the early 21st century. They probably descend both from the Malays of insular and peninsular Southeast Asia and from the Mon (also called the Talaing) of Myanmar. The Nicobarese speak various Nicobarese languages , which belong to the Mon-Khmer language group of the Austroasiatic language family; some also speak Hindi and English. In addition to the indigenous population, there are significant numbers of Tamils and other people from the Indian mainland living in the Nicobar Islands. Many came during the 1960s and ’70s in conjunction with the Indian government’s program to develop the region’s agriculture.

More than two-thirds of the people of the Andaman Islands are Hindu; Christians make up about one-fifth of the population and Muslims less than one-tenth. Many Nicobarese are Christian, although some communities practice local religions or have adopted Hinduism , which is prevalent throughout the region. There is also a notable Muslim minority in the Nicobars. Settlement patterns and demographic trends The population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands expanded particularly rapidly in the mid-20th century as immigrants took advantage of India’s postindependence development initiatives in the territory. Growth began to slow by the 1980s, and by the early 21st century it had approached a rate roughly comparable to that of the rest of India. Port Blair is the only major town; it contains more than one-fourth of the territory’s residents. The remainder of the population is spread across more than 500 small villages, most of which have fewer than 500 inhabitants. Economy Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Agriculture is the occupation of most of the residents of the Andaman Islands.

Principal crops include rice , coconuts, betel (areca nuts), fruits, and spices (such as turmeric). Rubber, oil palms, and cashews also are important. In addition to farming there is a small forestry sector on the islands, which focuses on production of sawn wood for domestic use; surpluses are exported to the Indian mainland. Similarly, the products of the islands’ fisheries are intended primarily for domestic consumption . Manufacturing Neither the Andaman nor the Nicobar island groups are highly industrialized. However, a variety of manufacturing activities are undertaken on both sets of islands. Furniture and other wood products are manufactured on the Andaman Islands. Processed foods and garments are among the principal products of both island groups. Tourism Tourism is a growing industry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with dozens of hotels scattered throughout the territory. Most tourists are from the Indian mainland. Popular historical attractions include remnants of the British colonial administration, such as the Andaman Cellular Jail (completed in 1906), in Port Blair, where the Indian revolutionary Vinayak Damodar (Vir) Savarkar was detained in the first half of the 20th century.

The natural environment of the territory, with its many parks, gardens, and sanctuaries, is attractive to ecotourists and trekkers. Transportation Most of the paved roads are in South Andaman. Port Blair and Diglipur are important harbours of South Andaman and North Andaman, respectively. An interisland boat service connects Port Blair with North, Middle, South, and Little Andaman islands. Air service is available to the northern and southern Indian mainland from Port Blair. Government and society Administrative framework The administrative structure of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, like most other Indian states and territories, is defined by the national constitution of 1950. The territory is administered by the central government through a lieutenant governor, who is appointed by the president of India. The lieutenant governor is assisted by a Council of Ministers. The territory also has its own legislature with elected members. Health and welfare Opium Wars Basic health care is offered free of charge to residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Services are provided by hospitals in the more densely populated areas and by community health-care centres and primary health-care facilities in the more rural regions. There also is an extensive network of health-care subcentres spread across the islands.

Malaria has been a perennial problem in the territory, and the government has participated in nationally sponsored mosquito-control and malaria-prevention initiatives to combat the disease. Similarly, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory joined the national government’s leprosy-eradication program, with the result that the incidence of that illness has dropped dramatically in the territory since the 1990s. Education The number of educational institutions is limited, and most schools offer only primary education. Nevertheless, more than four-fifths of the territory’s population is literate, which is well above the Indian national average. There are several postsecondary institutions offering industrial, technical, and teachers’ training. The first nursing school opened in 2001. History Located on the trade routes from India to East Asia, the Andaman and Nicobar island groups have been known from earliest times. The 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk I-ching, the Arab travelers of the 9th century, and Marco Polo (c. 1254–1324) are among those who mentioned the islands. The name Andaman most likely is derived from the name of the monkey god of Hindu mythology, Hanuman .

The name Nicobar probably derives from the Tamil word nakkavaram (“land of the naked”). The British first surveyed the Andaman Islands in 1789 in search of a place to establish a penal colony for offenders from British India. Such a colony was established in 1790 but was abandoned just a few years later. In the mid-19th century, concern over native attacks on shipwrecked crews and the need for a penal settlement after the Indian Mutiny (1857–58) led the British to return to the Andamans. In 1858 they founded a new penal colony, named Port Blair . It was during a visit to Port Blair that Lord Mayo , viceroy of India (1869–72), was murdered by a convict in 1872. Meanwhile, the Danish, who had been the claimants of the Nicobar Islands—the ownership of which had since the 17th century shifted variously between France, Denmark , Austria , and Great Britain—relinquished their rights to the territory to the British in 1868.

The population of the region, particularly of the Andamans, was greatly changed by the settlement of convicts from the mainland and, beginning in the 1950s, of numerous refugees, especially from East Pakistan (since 1971, Bangladesh ). Japanese forces occupied both the Andaman and Nicobar island groups from 1942 to 1945 (during World War II ); after the British recaptured the islands, the penal colony in the Andamans was abolished. Administration of the Andamans and Nicobars was passed to India when it gained independence in 1947. The Andaman Cellular Jail, where Indian political prisoners were held, was declared a national monument in 1979. In 2004 the Andaman and Nicobar island groups were struck by a tremendous tsunami that had been generated by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Sumatra, Indonesia. The inundation left thousands of people dead and many more displaced. The lower-lying Nicobars were most severely affected, with significant portions of some of those islands submerged by the tidal wave.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India’s Strategic Outpost | The Diplomat Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India’s Strategic Outpost Flight MH370 has put the spotlight on little known but strategically important territory. By Jeff M. Smith for The Diplomat March 18, 2014 Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has acquainted the world with a long-forgotten corner of the Indian Ocean: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). Known to few outside India, the island chain constitutes a valuable geopolitical asset for that country and is positioned to play a pivotal role in any maritime competition between India and China in the 21st century. In December 2012, I traveled to the ANI to conduct research for my new book, Cold Peace: China-India Rivalry in the 21st Century . Here’s what I found. A distant and long-neglected sentinel outpost in the eastern Indian Ocean, the ANI are a chain of 572 islands (slightly more than 30 of which are inhabited) with a majority-Hindu population numbering just under 400,000.

The most remarkable feature of the islands is their location: stretching over 500 miles north to south at the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca, they straddle one of the most critical naval and trade chokepoints in the world. Some have likened the ANI to America’s Indian Ocean military outpost at Diego Garcia. However, the comparison is inadequate; though host to far more modest military capabilities, the ANI are in a far more valuable location, are 200 times the size of Diego Garcia, and enjoy a more solid foundation of volcanic soil than the British-owned coral atoll. Covered in thick tropical vegetation and host to India’s only active volcano, the ANI constitute just 0.2 percent of India’s landmass but provide for 30 percent (600,000 sq kms) of the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month. The islands occupied a marginal position in India’s strategic consciousness until October 2001, when Delhi established a new Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) in the local capital, Port Blair.

The ANC is India’s first and only joint tri-service command, with rotating three-star commanders-in-chief from the Army, Navy and Air Force reporting directly to the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Today the command serves as the focal point for Indian engagement with regional navies in Southeast Asia . This includes bi-annual coordinated patrols with the navies of Thailand and Indonesia, the annual SIMBEX maritime exercises with Singapore, and the biennial Milan multilateral naval exercises. The ANC’s jurisdiction is limited to the islands’ exclusive economic zone, with no formal responsibility for the South China Sea. Its tasks include maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as suppressing gun running, narcotics smuggling, piracy, and poaching in India’s EEZ.

However, Sainik Samachar, a magazine published by the Indian Ministry of Defense, notes the ANC’s mandate also includes “ensuring that the eastern approaches to the Indian Ocean comprising the three straits – Malacca, Lombok and Sunda – remain free from threats for shipping” as well as “monitor[ing] ships passing through the Six Degree and Ten Degree Channels.” This last responsibility is critical, as the ANI enjoy domain over two channels west of the Strait of Malacca that play host to the world’s most important shipping lanes. The vast majority of international trade transiting the Strait of Malacca passes through the 200-kilometer-wide Six Degree Channel between the Indonesian island of Aceh and Great Nicobar, home to the Indian Navy’s newest air base. This means the bulk of container traffic through the Strait of Malacca also passes through India’s EEZ. To the north the 150-kilometer-wide Ten Degree Channel separates the Nicobar Islands from the Andaman Islands and is used by a much smaller volume of ships bound for the Bay of Bengal.

With such premier real estate, Western observers might expect the ANI to be a cornerstone in India’s maritime strategy; a firewall against threats to the east and a power-projection platform serving India’s interests in the Pacific. And yet, by all accounts the ANC is only modestly equipped militarily. Force-levels on the islands have remained largely static since the tri-service command was established in October 2001. The ANC hosts just one infantry brigade, around 15 small warships – mostly amphibious landing ship tanks and small landing craft – and a handful of Dornier-228 maritime patrol aircraft, as well as Mi-8 and Chetak helicopters. The command has no unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), despite requests from ANC commanders for Israeli-origin Heron UAVs. Reports suggest two Indian Navy warships are regularly deployed to patrol the northern and southern islands and in January 2013 the Indian Navy commissioned its largest offshore patrol vessel at the ANC for maritime surveillance and patrolling. Port Blair, which began as a penal colony, was long shunned by the Indian military hierarchy as a desolate outpost. Delhi has not “outlined a bold geo-economic vision for the island chain,” says Indian analyst C.

Raja Mohan which “can no longer be neglected as a group of islands suitable at best for the transportation of criminals and political offenders.” Other Indian strategists have begun calling for a greater utilization of the ANC. Retired Indian Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja says India needs to “grow out of its earlier thinking” and “develop the islands as a hub or ‘spring board’” for power projection in the region. Others in the military establishment see the ANC as a “trump card” against China, ideally positioned to interdict Chinese oil supplies from the Gulf and Africa in any potential Sino-Indian confrontation. Some 80 percent of China’s oil imports currently pass through the Strait of Malacca. Retired Rear Admiral Raja Menon argues : “Today they are merely SLOCS [Sea Lines of Communication]; tomorrow they will be the Chinese Jugular…. [$10 billion] spent on strengthening the Indian Navy’s SLOC interdiction capability would have given us a stranglehold on the Chinese routes into the Indian Ocean.” Such statements tend to underestimate the practical challenges associated with any single country attempting to “cut off” China’s oil supplies, even one as favorably positioned as India.

The only conditions under which an operation to “cut” China’s SLOCs would likely be effective – and where the ANI could be adequately leveraged – would be in the event of a large-scale, multi-country conflict with the Indian Navy operating in conjunction with the U.S. Navy, the littoral states in the Strait of Malacca, and others. That doesn’t mean India cannot or should not further develop the ANI as a strategic asset. As it finally begins to add strategic substance to the Look East Policy it adopted in 1991, India is conducting increasingly sophisticated and numerous military exercises with the U.S.-allied countries of the Western Pacific, transforming its once-dormant relationships with Japan and Australia, searching for energy off the coast of Vietnam, and working to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. With its capabilities more fully developed, the ANI could help India monitor military and commercial traffic passing between the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. They could provide India a forward position from which to serve its growing economic, political, and military interests in East Asia, and further position India as the “gatekeeper” of the Indian Ocean.

At a time the People’s Liberation Army Navy is increasingly active in the Indian Ocean – including the recent deployment of its first nuclear submarine to the area – the timing is ripe. Jeff M. Smith is the Director of South Asia Programs and Kraemer Strategy Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. This article was drawn from excerpts from his new book, Cold Peace: China-India Rivalry in the 21st Century . Topics Andaman Andaman Introduction Palm leaves dancing in the mild breeze, powder white beaches, the sound of waves breaking on a coral reef, lush, green rain forests and chirping rare birds-this is what the Andaman and Nicobar Islands essentially are. An archipelago of islands, islets and rocks, this Union Territory of India is home to some of the oldest tribes in the country. Though facilities for trekking, diving and snorkelling are available here, the best way to enjoy a trip to these islands is simply relax by the sea. Location Located in the Bay of Bengal, this group of 572 islands lies 193 km away from Cape Negrais in Myanmar, 1255 km from Calcutta, and 1190 km from Chennai.

The two important groups of islets are Ritchie's Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. The Nicobar Islands are located to the south of the Andamans, 121 km from the Little Andaman Island. Of the total 572 islands, only 36 islands are inhabited. The Islands are located between the latitudes 6° to 14° North and longitudes 92° to 94° East. Physical features The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise around 572 islands formed by a submarine mountain range, which separates the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. The islands attain maximum altitude at Saddle Peak (730 m), formed mainly of limestone, sandstone, and clay. Climate The islands have a tropical climate. There is medium to heavy rain during the monsoon, in the months from May to mid September and November to mid December.

There is no extreme climate except rains and tropical storms in late summer often cause heavy damage Flora and Fauna The canopied rain forests of the islands harbor 3,000 species of plants including mangroves, epiphytes (130 ferns, 100 orchids), palms, woody climbers, timbers (teak, mahogany, Andaman paduk) and a wide variety of tropical fruits. Marine fauna is diverse including a wide variety of tropical fish and coral. Considering the diversity and uniqueness of fauna and flora and the fragile nature of the eco-system here, 96 sanctuaries spread over History of the Island Little is known historically about Andaman and Nicobar, a cluster of around 572 islands of which less than 50 are populated, stretching from the southern tip of Burma all the way down south till Sumatra in Indonesia. It is believed that Marco Polo was among the first from the West to set foot on one of the islands. Kanhoji Angre, a Maratha admiral had his base on the island in the early 18th century.

From there, he attacked passing Portuguese, Dutch and English merchant vessels on their way to or from their various Asian colonies. In 1713, his navy even succeeded in capturing the yacht of the British Governor of Bombay. Despite many efforts by the British and later a joint military force of British and Portuguese naval forces, Kanhoji Angre was never defeated. He died in 1729. The British established their first colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789, which was abandoned in 1796. The British finally annexed the islands in the 19th century adding them to their empire. They turned it into a penal colony for Indian freedom fighters. The construction of the infamous Cellular Jail was completed in 1908. Hundreds of anti-British Indians were tortured to death or simply executed here. With the Second World War, Japanese troops occupied the islands and the local tribes initiated guerrilla activities to drive them out. When India achieved independence in 1947, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were incorporated into the Indian Union.

People Due to consistent emphasis of the government on progress and its encouragement to the mainlanders to settle there has resulted in the local tribes becoming a minority group in their own land. The indigenous tribes are distinguished in two groups: the Onge, Sentinelese, Jarawa and Andamanese of Negroid descent living on the Andaman Islands and the Shompen and Nicobarese of Mongoloid descent living in the Nicobar Islands. Most of the tribes are on the verge of extinction. This sad destiny will most likely hit the Andamanese tribe first since their number is as low as thirty. The Sentinelese is the least studied tribe still living in isolation on the North Sentinel Island. Their number is estimated at 250. Outsiders attempting to make contact with them are driven away with bows and arrows. They continue to maintain a unique lifestyle living in harmony with nature just as they have done for thousands of years. Arts and Crafts The main crafts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands include shell and exotic woods crafted for the tourists, palm mats, and beautiful natural shells. Due to the fear of over exploitation of the Islands' natural resources, trade of some products is now banned.

Fairs and Festivals The islanders celebrate most of the festivals of the mainland due to the influence of the external society and the development that has taken place. Major festivals are Durga Puja, Pongal, Panguni Uthiram, and Onam. Other important festivals are Mahashivaratri, Janmashtami, Holi, Diwali, Christmas, Good Friday, etc. The Island Tourism Festival is celebrated every year for 15 days between December and February in Port Blair. Dance performances from the troupes residing in different islands are organized. One of the major attractions at this festival is the Andaman Dog Show. Industry The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a vast forest resource base with 7,171 sq km of the total area of island covered by forests. A large variety of timber is found in the Andaman group of islands. The Islands have reported the occurrence of diatomaceous earth, gold, limestone, nickel, selenite and sulphur. The Oil And Natural Gas Commission is continuing the exploration for oil and gas there. The Union Territory has a number of small scale, village and handicrafts units.

The number of export-oriented units is also increasing in the agro-processing sectors. The Andaman and Nicobar Integrated Development Corporation has made its presence felt in civil supplies, tourism, fisheries, industries, and industrial financing activities. Agriculture Around 50,000 hectares of land is under cultivation here. Paddy is the main food crop and is mostly cultivated in the Andaman group of islands, whereas coconut and areca nut are the main cash crops of the Nicobar group of islands. Different kinds of fruits such as mango, sapota, orange, banana, papaya, pineapple and some root crops are also grown on the islands. Andaman Facts & Figures The Andaman Islands | yamarella Posted by: Rasma R | August 1, 2016 The Andaman Islands Located in India’s Bay of Bengal The Andaman Islands are an archipelago which consists of about 300 islands. These islands are well-known for their palm-lined white-sand beaches, mangroves and rain forests. These islands are surrounded by coral reefs that support marine life among them sharks and rays. Visitors can enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling as well as water hiking, windsurfing and fishing.

Some of these islands offer ocean side camping and hiking. Both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a union territory of the Republic of India. Bharatpur Beach can be found at the jetty near the Neil Islands. It is famous for its coral reefs and white sandy shores. The best time to visit here is during the mornings and evenings. Neil Islands have often been termed as the coral capital of Andaman. If you’re not too much into snorkeling you can bring along a hammock and a good book to read. You can stroll the beach and relax on some of the benches along the way. There are vendors who sell coconut water. Popular among visitors is the cellular jail also known as Kaala Paani or black waters. It remains one of the most infamous remnants of India’s struggle for independence. The jail is located at Port Blair and favored by visitors. The prison was begun in 1896 and was completed in 1906. The bricks used in the construction were imported from Burma. The building has seven wings designed in a criss-cross pattern. A tower rises up in the center and was used by prison guards. The prison was mainly used as solitary confinement of the prisoners.

The wings were built so that the front of each cell only saw the back of the cell opposite it. Today this cellular prison has been turned into a hospital with 500 beds and 40 doctors, serving the local population. Baratang Island has fascinating limestone caves that should not be missed. The caves are an impressive natural wonder and you get to take an exciting speed boat journey to see them. The boat ride is covered with a canopy of the forest which is home to the indigenous “Jarwa” tribe. It is not advisable to go into the water since it is home to sea crocodiles. Inside the caves you can see amazing stalacites and stalagmites and erosion has created unusual shapes inside the caves. You can explore in the company of an experienced guide who’ll be able to tell you some interesting facts about the local tribes and the history of these caves. Marina Park also known as Samudrika Marine Museum is located at Port Blair. It is managed by the Indian Navy. This establishment was built to create awareness about the conservation of aquatic life and resources in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Here you can also discover all there is to know about these group of islands and the social and tribal life of the people that live there. The park consists of five sections and you can see miniature models of the islands displayed along with large tanks that contain natural coral reefs and different kinds of aqua flora and fauna that is unique to these islands. The Havelock Islands are located on the western coast where you’ll find one of the most popular beaches in India Radhanagar Beach. The waters are calm and crystal clear. You can participate in such activities as scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating and so much more. For some added excitement you can take elephant rides. The loveliest time here is at sunset. Viper Island is an island that is home to snakes. The island is famous for the ruins of a jail that precedes the cellular jail. The jail was used to incarcerate political prisoners and visitors can still see the ruins of the gallows. This is a most picturesque location and one of the most important tourist destinations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Great Nicobar Island is the largest of the Nicobar Islands in India. The island is sparsely populated.

Even though it was severely affected by the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean it has made a recovery. This island is known for its rainforest that is home to a diverse wildlife and is part of the World biosphere reserve. The unusual location of the island has made it home to several unique species of fauna and aqua fauna. The island is also home to the indigenous tribe called Shompen, which is one of the oldest tribes in the world. Take a look at Campbell Bay where you can see crab-eating macaques, giant robber crabs, megapode and Nicobar pigeons. A twenty minute boat ride will take you from Port Blair to Ross Island. Here you can see impressive Victorian English ruins since this was once the former administrative headquarters for the British in the Andamans. At one time this island was referred to as the “Paris of the East”. Today you can still see the old English architecture and you can walk through landscaped paths and many of the buildings are labeled. At a small museum you can see historical displays and resident spotted deer. Ferries to the island depart hourly from Aberdeen Jetty located behind the aquarium in Port Blair.

If you head on up north you’ll discover a giant outdoor adventure playground made just for nature lovers. This is home to a world-famous turtle nesting site, Andaman’s highest peak – Saddle Peak and a network of caves to explore. There are white-sand beaches and some of the best snorkeling. In Diglipur which is the second largest town in the Andamans you can get Internet access. It’s famous for its oranges, rice and marine life. You can relax and visit the tranquil coastal village of Kalipur. About Andaman and Nicobar Island, History of Andaman Island LOVE THIS 8 Andaman and Nicobar Island is a Union territory in India located at the juncture of Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. It is a group of Island, which comprise two islands namely Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. The capital of this union territory is Port Blair . Andaman and Nicobar is gifted with immense natural beauty as it is surrounded by mystique sea and lush green vegetation. What was once synonymous with Kalapani Prison and a land where many became martyrs has now transformed into one of the best and the most exotic tourist locations in India.

There is an exciting aura about the islands which fills every adventure lover and travellers with enthusiasm. There are almost 572 small islands that comprise Andaman and Nicobar and most of the part is covered with green forest and exudes unmatched beauty when the sun shines through them. The marine life of the Islands is, however the highlight of the islands. The blue water is as clear as the glass and you can find many aquatic animals and corals in the sea. Andaman and Nicobar has emerged as the most favourite tourist destination owing to the picturesque islets which were once hills which extended from Indonesia to Myanmar. Andaman and Nicobar are also known for the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only tri-service geographical command of the Indian Army. Did you know? Andaman and Nicobar islands is divided into about 572 small islands, among which only 37 are inhabited and the rest are without any type of human civilization. History of Andaman and Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar Island have a rich history associated with it. Its history dates back to 800 BC suggested by archaeological evidences. Indigenous population called Andamanese can be distinguished from other people according to their distinct culture and language.

The Nicobar Islands which is located at 10 degrees North Parallel to Andaman seems to have been inhabited by people with distinct backgrounds. When it came in contact with Europe, the indigenous population was of the Nicobarese who spoke Mon - Khmer language and that of the Shompen. In the period of 1014 CE, the king of the Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu had captured Andaman Nicobar Island to use the place as their Naval Base for waging a war against the Srivijaya Empire in Sumatra, Indonesia. The islands were the called Tinmaittivu and were also used as a temporary base for Maratha Empire in the late 17th century. The legendary soldier and leader Kanhoji Angre had achieved supremacy in the Navy and is also credited with attaching the islands to India. In the year 1755, a group of Danish settlers has arrived at the group of Islands and established Danish East India Company. Within a few months, Nicobar became a Danish Colony but was abandoned many times in 1759, 1768, 1814 to 1832 due to the malaria epidemic.

In 1868, Denmark sold the islands to Britain and it became the part of British India. Britain used the island for setting up a cellular Jail, which was infamously called ¨KalaPani¨ where the Indian freedom fighters and dissenters were kept. Subhash Chandra Bose had once named the Island Shaheed-Dweep because many Indians were martyred on this land. During the World War II, the island came under the rule of Japan and nominally under Azad Hind Army under S.C Bose. However, in the year 1945, Britain again established control over it by defeating Japan. It is now a part of the Indian Subcontinent and a Union Territory from the year 1956. India has been using the Island for making it a strategic military base which give a strong hold of Bay of Bengal and Strait of Malacca. Geography of Andaman and Nicobar Island Andaman and Nicobar Islands were declared a Union territory in the year 1956. The entire area comprises 572 islands and islets and the total area is 8073 Sq. Feet.

Among all the islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, only 34 are inhabited permanently. The islands are spread across 6° to 14° latitudes in the north and from 92° to 94° longitudes in the east. A channel which separates The Andamans islands from the Nicobar group by a channel which is at 10 degrees with a width of 150 kilometres.. Saddle Peak with a height of 750 meters is the highest point on Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman group has 325 islands and the Nicobar group has 24 Islands. The capital of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar is Port Blair which is at a distance of 1,255km from Kolkata and 1,190km from Chennai.. Indira Point, which is the official southernmost point of India is at 6°45’10?N and 93°49’36?E. It is situated very near to Sumatra in Indonesia. Did you know? Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the longest coastline (approximately 2000 km) among all the states in the country.

Topography of Andaman and Nicobar Aerial view of islands in Andaman and Nicobar / Flickr The topography of Andaman and Nicobar Island showcases distinctive topographical attributes. The Andaman and Nicobar is a group of Islands, Islets and reefs in a long, broken chain which is a part of the landmass that comprise South East Asia, North East Asia, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia. Geologically, all these places are part of a unified land mass. Located in Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar is a cluster of 321 islands, but comes up to 572 when all the small islands and rocks in the archipelago are also counted. 38 among these are inhabited of which 26 are in the Andaman group and the rest in the Nicobar group. The northernmost part of the island is called the Landfall Island and is situated at a distance of 190 km from Cape Negrais in Myanmar.

The major Island group in the Andaman is the North Andaman comprising the Landfall island, the Sound island, the Narcondam island, the Middle Andamans which is home to islands like the Interview island and the South Andamans which include the Ritchie's Archipelago, Baratang Island and the Neil island, the Rutland island, the Ross island etc. The Little Andamans is a somewhat hilly stretch of land with vast expanse of green and dense forest which are separated by trails. Did you know? Distance wise Andaman and Nicobar islands is close to the Burma and Indonesia rather than the mainland of India Moving east towards the Great Andaman we find two volcanic islands which are namely the Narcondam and the Barren Islands. One of these islands, Narcondam belongs to the Pegu groups and the second one which is Barren Island is the part of the Sunda group of volcanoes. The Narcondam Island is uninhabited as it is the seat of volcanoes which can erupt at any time. The name Narkondam is a Sanskrit derived word which means Pitt of hell in English.

The Barren Island is also volcanic in nature and stands tall at the height of 1156 feet above sea level. The barren Island is indeed barren as it is in a state of active eruption for a very long time and one could see the steam emerging out from the bed of sulphur located on the side of the volcanic cone. In Nicobar, the topography is similar with slight variations. The Nicobar group of islands has 61 islands, the major islands being Car Nicobar Island, located in the north and the Great Nicobar Island situated down south. The major islands of the Nicobar group include Teressa, Car Nicobar, Kamorta and Little Nicobar. These islands extend towards Pygmalion point which has now been renamed as Indira Point, the southern most point of Indian Subcontinent. Indira Point, the southern most tip of the Indian Subcontinent / WalkthroughIndia The topography exhibited by both Andaman and Nicobar of the area of both these groups of islands is commonly hilly and replete with forests. You could find very few flat islands in both the groups of islands. The Saddle Peak is considered the highest point in the North Andaman.

The Mount Thulliar which is situated in Great Nicobar islands stands tall at 642 metres from sea level. The slopes through the Island are less steep at times, but can range from very steep to rough. Baring few rugged land masses, most of the Nicobar is flat and surrounded by coral reef. There are stretches of beaches with blue seas and a variety of flora and fauna. Climate of Andaman and Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar islands have a uniform tropical climate which is generally humid and warm. The annual rainfall measured recently is approximately 318 centimetres, however can be erratic. As the island is surrounded by the sea from all sides, sea breezes are a common feature in the tropical climate of Andaman and Nicobar Island. The primary feature of the climate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is indicated by the temperature range of a minimum of 23° C temperature and a maximum of 31° C temperature. The temperature can hence be called moderate as extreme temperature is never experienced in the area. A more prominent feature of Andaman and Nicobar Islands climate, similar to all coastal areas is humidity. As the islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, humidity is a factor that does not surprise.

70 to 90% relative humidity is experienced in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Baring the occurrence of frequent and irregular rains and storms, Andaman and Nicobar never experience extreme temperature. Monsoon visits Andaman and Nicobar Islands in two phases which are May to September and November to middle of December. Northeasterly strong winds are experienced from November to December and southwesterly strong winds are observed from May to October. The relatively calm weather in the islands can be experienced only between the months of January to April. Monsoon season in Andaman and Nicobar is rough and is not recommended for tourism. The average rainfall during the monsoon is in the range of 321 centimetres. The temperature during this period fluctuates from 22.8° C to 29.9° C Forests of Andaman and Nicobar Islands In total, the following types of forests can be found in these islands: Andamans Tropical Evergreen Forest Southern Hilltop Tropical Evergreen Forest Cane Brakes Andamans Secondary Moist Deciduous Forest Littoral Forest Andaman and Nicobar have a tropical rainforest all over and hence it displays a wide variety of flora.

The dense and impenetrable forests have cane brakes, wet bamboo trees clusters and Mangrove forests. The flora found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mixed elements from India, Myanmar and Indonesia, all of which have had an influence on the flora found on the island. As of now, more than 2200 different species of plants have already been recorded. The forests in South Andaman has abundant ferns and orchids and the North Andaman forests have climber plants all over owing to a wet climate. Moist deciduous forests cover is found in the Middle Andaman forests. As far as Nicobar is concerned, there is complete absence of deciduous forests. The North Nicobar forest cover mostly has grasslands and is devoid of evergreen forests. Central and southern Nicobar however, has dominant evergreen forest. The total area covered by the forest is 82% in Andaman and Nicobar. The islands are home to a diverse types of forestation, and there are close to dozens different and distinct types of vegetation that can be easily observed. There are also noticeable differences in the kinds of forests that can be found in the Andaman islands, and the ones found in Nicobar islands.

For example, researchers have noted that while deciduous forests are abundant in the Andaman, they are noticeably absent on Nicobar. Similarly, grasslands can be observed in Nicobar islands, but are nowhere to be found on the other island group. Did You Know? Almost 90% of the total area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is covered with forest, which is probably the most area in terms of percentage covered with forest among all states in India. Wildlife of Andaman and Nicobar Islands There is a rich diversity of wildlife owing to the rain forests and a tropical climate on the island. According to the reports around 50 varieties of mammals can be found in Andaman and Nicobar Island. The fauna found here are part endemic and part from neighbouring areas like Indonesia, Myanmar and Indonesia. Common wildlife found in Andaman and Nicobar are Wild Boar, rodents, bats and Salt water crocodiles. Little Andaman is home to the Dugong which is the state animal of Andaman. Birds are also found in plenty and more than 250 varieties of birds have been identified.

The famous Mount Harriet National Park in the Union territory is home to the rich diversity of butterfly and moths on the island A Dugong swims with a diver in Andaman and Nicobar / AnimalPics The rich and diverse fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is surprising, mainly due to the fact that these islands lie so isolated from the mainlands. Close to 50 different types of mammals, and large numbers of salt water crocodiles can be found on these islands. The islands are a haven for seafood lovers, and are famous for their shellfish, and a large variety of high quality shellfish have been found around the islands. Rivers in Andaman and Nicobar There is only a single river that has ever been found flowing in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Kalpong River powers the sole hydel power project that has been established in the islands, and flows right through Diglipur, where this project has been set up. Economy of Andaman and Nicobar Fishing along with agriculture and tourism in another major business for the locals / Munjoh Economy of Andaman and Nicobar Island is primarily based on agriculture and tourism.

Agriculture on the Andaman and Nicobar islands takes up an area of a little over 48675 hectares, with paddy (or rice) being the staple food for the island dwellers. The Nicobar island also has cash crops like coconut and arecanut. Pulses and vegetables are also cultivated on the island and help the island become self sufficient in the food and crops department. Did you know? The island features with 25 harbours, which is the largest number among any of the states in India. The islands have seen a rise in small scale industries, with small villages operating a number of cottage industries. From furniture manufacturing to processing and exporting of local fishes, Andaman and Nicobar islands have been progressively becoming more financially stable in the past few decades. The revenues from agriculture and its industries are augmented by the thriving tourism of the islands. With hundreds of small islands to visit, beautiful beaches, endless water related activities, and a thriving flora and fauna, Andaman has slowly started to gain traction as a popular tourist destination, and sees visitors not just from India, but from many different countries.

Cuisines of Andaman and Nicobar Rice and seafood form the staple diet for the Andamanese and Nicobarese people. The food is supplemented with coconut and similar locally found ingredients. Due to the rich cultural diversity of the islands, cuisines from all over the Indian subcontinent have found their way here, and tourists can easily get North Indian and South Indian dishes to eat when they visit. The island has easy access to fish and edible shellfishes, which make up for some very interesting and delectable local dishes. Tourist attraction in Andaman and Nicobar The entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one complete tourism package. The island is lined by several palm fringed beaches which beams when the sun shines on the white sand beaches. Tourism has been gaining popularity on the islands as a source of revenue, and the local authorities have been developing the services and the infrastructure of the island in order to offer visitors quality living accommodations and traveling facilities. People visit the island for a chance to explore its pristine beaches and beautiful seas, and are able to enjoy a wide range of adventure activities.

Eco-tourism has also gained prominence in the region, and those who seek clean air and a non-polluted environment can also be seen making their way to the Andaman and Nicobar islands for an escape from their filthy city surroundings. Click here to know more about tourism in Andamans and Nicobar Quick Facts:

Question: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a territory of which country?
Answer: INDIA